Episode 250 How to use real-world cultures without outright mimicking or appropriating

Today's Topic – Okay you want to world build a fantasy culture with the mimicking or appropriating

To be honest, this was a tough topic requested by Jonathan in our Facebook group, “The Fantasy Worldbuilder's Undercroft” The tough part of the question is it is two questions. How to create a fantasy culture inspired by culture and How to do to not culturally appropriate. Join Micheal and Jeffery as the talk about worldbuilding a culture without copying or appropriating the culture.

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First will talk about how to avoid appropriation. Inspired by a fashion article, “The Dos and Don’ts of Cultural Appropriation.”

What is cultural appropriation and is it defacto terrible?
- Realize we live in an area where people are looking for reasons to be outraged. Someone might get outraged no matter what you do.
- There is no checklist to explain to creatives how to prevent cultural appropriation
- Research and have an appreciation for the cultures you are inspired by an opening talk about their influence
- Aviod strict tropes about that culture in your use of the culture
- Talk to people and get their feedback

How to create a fantasy culture inspired by a real-world culture?

When starting, you should steal cultures and redress them.
- This is for practice
What you are looking for?
- Focus on patterns, not details
- Where do they live?
  - What resources are important to them.
- What do they eat and how do they get their food?
- What do they believe?
- How do they structure their society
- What technology do they have?
Then look for a place in your world?
- What are the differences in the areas?
- How does magic influence the culture?
- Do they have extra or missing technology?
- Do the natural colors change?